Well, Loudoun county VA started a program where they want homeowners to have their septic tanks pumped and checked every 5 years. Alternative septic systems require annual inspections. We are at the 5 year mark now since our last pumping and inspection. At last inspection, the mortar around the exit pipe had cracked and broken away, so there was a small amount of leakage around the pipe. We dug it up and resealed around the pipe with new mortar then.
Tomorrow, McKim Construction is scheduled to pump the tank. They will report that to Loudoun county Health Dept so it will be on file. Then we should be good for another 5 years.
Money Saving Tip # 1 is: If you are able, dig up the tank opening yourself. As you see, I just dug ours up which gives us $50.00 off. Money savings Tip #2- If the company asks if you received their post card reminder in the mail, say " Yes". Steve McKim checks records to see who is due for a pumping, then he sends out reminders by post card. That gave us another $25.00 off.
Here are a couple tips to make digging easier. Once you know where your tank is, take some pics and measurements to keep in your files. Also measure the depth to top of tank. Luckily ours is only around 15" below grade. I also know that one of the tank openings is in front of the garage window. But a simple method that makes finding your tank top opening and distribution box easy, is to put a piece of drain tile over the handle. Just fill it in with dirt when your finished, but leave about 1-2" of pipe sticking up above grade. It shouldn't hurt anything if you hit it with a mower, but if only 1" is sticking up, you shoudn't have to worry about hitting it with mower.
That pipe makes it easy for me to find where I need to dig without looking up records or taking measurements.
Jeff Pearl | Lic in VA
Remax Distinctive
703-727-4876
Homes | Land | Farms | Historic
Equal Housing
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